Spring First-Year Road to UM Checklist

Be sure to check back regularly for updates and continue to monitor your UM email for important communications. Go ’Canes!

• Immediately: Set up your UM Email and check it daily.

  All University information will be sent to your UM email, including registration appointments, financial aid, billing, grades, and student life information. You are responsible for receiving, reading, and responding to all messages in a timely manner, so check your email every day!

  1. Set up your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), an additional level of security. If you have not yet been prompted to do so, you will have to set up your MFA authentication in order to access your UM email. To enroll, visit caneid.miami.edu and click “Enroll in Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).” If you have trouble setting up your MFA, contact the UM Information Technology (UMIT) Support Center at 305-284-6565 or itsupportcenter@miami.edu. Learn more at miami.edu/multifactor.
  2. Set up your UM email. Visit mail.miami.edu and sign in with your Cane ID username and password. Link your UM email account to the email address you use most. 
  3. Link your UM email to your mobile device. For instructions, visit miami.edu/mobileconfig.
  4. Check your UM email every day.

• Immediately: Confirm your contact information in CaneLink.

  1. Once logged into CaneLink, select “Go to Student Center” to access your academic records, financial aid, and bill.
  2. Confirm your permanent address, mobile number, and emergency contact information under the “Personal Information” section. The emergency contact information provided should be that of a parent, guardian, or responsible family member. Keeping your contact information up to date in CaneLink is critical in cases of emergency, extreme weather, and University notifications.

  For more detailed instructions on navigating CaneLink, visit canelink.it.miami.edu.

• Immediately: Set up proxy access in CaneLink.

  CaneLink provides the option to grant your parent(s) and/or other individuals, known as proxies, access to your information. We recommend that you grant access to anyone who manages your tuition payments. You always control what’s shared and can make changes anytime. For more information, visit miami.edu/canelinkproxy.

• Immediately: Complete financial assistance To Do items in CaneLink.

  The University cannot award financial assistance until all required documentation is received and reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment (OSFAE). If you are interested in receiving any type of financial assistance and have completed the application process:

  1. Check your UM email often for award notifications or requests for more information from OSFAE.
  2. Monitor your Financial Assistance Student Portal for outstanding actions or required documents.
     1. In CaneLink select "Go To Student Center" and then “View Financial Aid.”
     2. Select the 2021+ aid year to reach the Financial Assistance Student Portal.
     3. From the Financial Assistance Student Portal home page, select "Accept Awards" the drop-down menu.
     4. Accept/decline/reduce all or any portion of your awards and loan offers. To reduce a loan award, update the amount in the box and click Accept, then Submit.

     Documents received or requested will be displayed on the home page.

  3. Pleasere terms and conditions for financial assistance at miami.edu/terms.

• Immediately: Submit outside scholarship award information and/or checks to Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment.

  Outside resources such as outside scholarships and veterans’ benefits must be considered when calculating your eligibility for some need-based aid and, in the case of veterans’ benefits, eligibility for institutional need-based aid.

  Please complete the Outside Scholarship Submission Form to submit award information and/or checks to the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment.

• Immediately: If entering the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa, upload a copy of your bank/government sponsorship letter or online bank statement and the biographical page of your passport to the Applicant Portal.

  Prepare for your arrival, including information about travel and entry into the United States. Visit isss.miami.edu for additional information.

  I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) issuance

  1. Upon deposit, checklist items will be created and posted to your Applicant Portal requesting the following documents: bank letter, sponsorship letter, and passport.
  2. You will need a copy of your passport’s biographical page, a bank letter/government sponsorship letter (sample letter) or online bank statement stating the availability of $77,546 U.S. dollars, and a sponsorship letter from the bank account holder stating that the funds are available to cover your tuition and expenses.
  3. If you are currently attending high school or another University on an F-1 visa, please also complete and submit a SEVIS transfer form, requested on your Applicant Portal.
  4. Upload all documents to your Applicant Portal for issuance of an I-20 or DS-2019 to apply for a student visa.

• Immediately: If you live in Miami-Dade or Broward counties with your family and plan on commuting to campus, apply for a waiver for the first-year residency requirement.

  If you choose to live off-campus, apply for a waiver for the first-year residency requirement.

  All first-year students are required to live in University housing for their first two academic semesters. This policy does not apply to first-year students who:

  — have been out of high school for more than one calendar year
  — live with their parents or a legal guardian in Miami-Dade or Broward County
  — are married and/or have dependent children
  — for disciplinary or administrative reasons, are denied the privilege of living on campus

• Immediately: Submit your final high school transcript and dual enrollment course credit, AP/IB scores.

  Send your official final high school transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admission (P.O. Box 249117, Coral Gables, FL 33124). Your High school counselor can also send them through their slate.org account or directly to UM via email to mydocuments@miami.edu. 

  Submit scores and/or grades for AP, IB, and dual enrollment course credit. To have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Level HL, and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) scores evaluated for University credit, have your scores sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission from the College Board, your regional IB office, or previously attended institution(s), respectively, as soon as the scores are available.

  All exam scores must be sent directly from the appropriate testing agency. For AP, the University of Miami’s school code is 5815.

  A minimum grade of a “C” is required for consideration of dual enrollment courses, and no more than 60 credits will be accepted from these programs.

  For a list of credit equivalencies, visit miami.edu/creditequiv.

• Immediately: Submit a request for disability accommodations.

  The Office of Disability Services (ODS) provides academic accommodations and support to ensure all students are able to access the opportunities available at UM. Students with disabilities in need of accommodations must complete an online Accommodation Request Form and submit current, appropriate, and comprehensive documentation of the disability to ODS by December 1.

• Immediately: Register for ’Cane Kickoff.

  All new students must attend 'Cane Kickoff, the mandatory orientation for undergraduate first-year and transfer students.

  To register, select “Orientation Registration” in CaneLink. You may also add information for family members who intend to participate in the optional family programming.

• Immediately - December 22: Submit the application for remote learning (if applicable).

  The application for remote learning will be available at coronavirus.miami.edu/remote-learning through Dec. 22.

• Immediately: If your tuition is paid by a third-party sponsor, submit your Financial Guarantee Letter.

  If your tuition is paid by a third-party or government sponsor, you must submit a current Financial Guarantee Letter from the sponsor to thirdparty.osas@miami.edu before the start of each semester and before the payment due date.

  For more information, visit miami.edu/sponsor.

• November 2 - December 1: Apply for on-campus housing, search for a roommate, and choose a meal plan.

  Apply before December 1 through CaneLink. Housing applications received after the December 1 deadline will be added to a waitlist until an available space can be identified.

  Access the application under the UM Housing section. A sample housing agreement, an application tutorial, and the housing rates for the coming year are available on the housing website.

  You will be required to submit a $500 prepayment via credit card as part of the application process. The prepayment will be applied to your University student account.

  Students who apply early receive greater priority for selecting single rooms, making room changes, and receiving earlier room selection appointment times for future academic years.

  Select a Meal Plan

  All first-year residents must choose between the unlimited meal plan, 19-meal plan, or 14-meal plan. Students who do not select a meal plan upon enrollment in housing will automatically be signed up for the unlimited meal plan. In CaneLink, under “UM Housing Portal,” go to the meal plan step and make your selection. You will be able to make changes to your plan in CaneLink up to two days before housing opens. Making your selection prior to June 30 will ensure the plan is on your first student account bill.

  Students living off-campus may choose from any of the residential and commuter meal plans. To sign up, email diningservices@miami.edu and provide your full name, student number, and meal plan choice.

  Find a roommate

  The housing application process includes a section where you can complete a roommate profile by answering a series of questions about your lifestyle preferences, academic and social pursuits, and other roommate-related topics. If you would like to join the roommate search process, you’ll be assigned a username and asked to provide a brief description of yourself. The program then suggests potential roommates based on your responses and mutually confirmed roommates create a roommate group.

  Questions? Email Department of Housing and Residential Life at housing@miami.edu

• December: If you are applying for loans, finalize your loan applications.

  For loan options, visit Parent PLUS Loans at studentaid.gov or for private loans visit elmselect.com.

• December: If you are using Florida Prepaid, add or change your Florida Prepaid billing with the University.

  If you would like to add or change your Florida Prepaid billing with the University, you will have to complete the following steps:

  1. Authorize the University of Miami to bill your Florida Prepaid account by contacting the Florida Prepaid College Program myfloridaprepaid.com/my-account
  2. Complete and submit the University of Miami’s ‘Authorization Form’
  3. To confirm that your current Florida Prepaid benefits are being applied to your student account, go to the ‘Account Activity’ page under Payments/Account Summary on your Student Center in CaneLink.

  For more information, visit miami.edu/fpp.

• December: If entering the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa, pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a student visa immediately upon receipt of I-20 or DS-2019.

  UM has partnered with Flywire to provide an easy and secure method for international students to pay tuition and fees. Flywire allows you to track your payment from start to finish and provides 24/7 multilingual customer service. For more information, select “International Payment” in your CaneLink payment options.

  SEVIS Fee and Student Visa

  1. Review your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) form. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at intladmission@miami.edu if you have any questions.
  2. Pay your I-901 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com. Print the fee receipt as proof of payment and take it with you to your visa appointment and when you travel to the United States.
  3. Apply for a student visa to enter the United States (citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt). Student visas cannot be obtained in the United States.

  For information on how to apply for an F or J visa, as well as approximate wait times for visa interviews and application processing, visit state.gov. 

• December: Submit your official test scores and complete any course placement or entrance exams required.

  The following are musts for all new students:

  1. Complete any course placement or entrance exams and skills assessments required. You may need to take tests in language and math to ensure proper course placement. Refer to your specific school or college new student registration pages for requirements and deadlines. 
  2. If applicable, send your official test scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admission directly from the testing agency. If your test scores were self-reported for admission, your SAT and/or ACT scores need to be verified. You will be unable to fully register for fall classes until your test scores are verified.
     
     If you applied to the Frost School of Music, the School of Architecture, or opted not to submit test scores for admission review, you do not need to send official test scores.

• December: Commuter students, consider purchasing a campus parking pass.

  Check your email for information about parking on campus. Visit miami.edu/parking for information on parking rates, campus shuttles, public transit, carpooling, and UBike.

• December 14: Registration opens, follow the instructions from your school or college to register for courses.

  Each of the University’s schools and colleges has a specific program of course registration and academic advising. 

  Your school or college will email you directly with details about registration and advising. 

  School-specific instructions to register for courses and step-by-step videos on how to register for classes in CaneLink are available at miami.edu/newstudentregister.

• December 15: Last day to complete your health center immunizations.

  All students are required to complete and present proof of immunization no later than December 15.

  1. Print out the immunization form and give it to your medical provider for completion.

  2. Log in to mystudenthealth.miami.edu/miami.edu and enter all immunization information for verification.

  3. Upload the completed immunization form. If you plan to live on campus, you will also be asked to document that you have received or were informed of the hepatitis and meningococcal meningitis immunizations.

  For more information on immunizations, visit miami.edu/immunizations.

• December 20 - February 28: Complete the online UMX 100 course by the preferred deadline.

  The University of Miami Experience (UMX 100) is a graded, online, self-paced course specifically designed to assist first-year students in making a successful transition to the University of Miami.

  You will be automatically enrolled in the course, as it is required for all new students. The course opens on December 20 and your grade will be recorded on your transcript. Access the course via Blackboard (the platform used by professors to share course resources such as presentation slides, readings, and links as well as grades). We strongly recommend you complete the course before your arrival to campus. If you have questions, email umx@miami.edu. 

• December 21-January 21: Start making payment plans to ensure you pay your tuition invoice by January 21.

  Once you accept or decline your financial aid awards, you can view and pay any remaining balance in CaneLink. Submit your tuition payment.

  Failure to pay your tuition by the deadline will interfere with your ability to move into on-campus housing in the fall and may result in the cancellation of your enrollment.

  The Monthly Payment Plan (MPP) option divides your educational expenses— tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and meal plan expenses—into monthly payments during the fall and spring semesters.

  • Participants are billed in equal monthly installments. A nonrefundable 3 percent administration fee is charged and added on to the monthly payments.
  • Payment plan installments are scheduled and automatically deducted each month.
  • Financial aid requirements must be finalized before signing up for the MPP.

  Payment options:

  1. In-person at the Cashier’s Window:
     1307 Stanford Drive Student Services Building, first floor
     Coral Gables, FL 33146
  2. Online via CaneLink:
     —eCheck (ACH)
     —Credit cards (a service fee is applied)
     —Wire payments
  3. By mail to:
     University of Miami
     P.O. Box 249146
     Coral Gables, FL 33124-4610
     
     

  Direct deposit for student refunds: Have your refunds deposited directly into your checking or savings account. To sign up, select “Enroll in Direct Deposit” from the drop-down menu under the Finances section in CaneLink. Only U.S. bank accounts can be used for this service.

• January 4: Deadline to contact the VA Certifying Official if using VA educational benefits.

  Veterans or dependents of veterans may be entitled to VA educational benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606.

  Complete information on submitting enrollment documentation can be found at miami.edu/veteransaffairs. Submit your documents to UM’s Certifying Official at veterans@miami.edu by January 4. You may also contact them at 305-284-2294.

  Veterans benefits may be considered as a resource when determining eligibility for need-based institutional assistance. For additional information, contact a financial aid advisor at 305-284-6000.

• January 7: U.S. citizens, last day to accept or waive University-sponsored health insurance.

  All full-time students are required to have comprehensive health insurance coverage, whether through the University’s plan or a personal plan.

  U.S. citizens must choose to accept or waive the University plan coverage and fee as soon as possible and no later than January 7. For instructions on how to waive the University plan coverage, visit miami.edu/newstudenthealth.

  For more information, visit the Student Health Center’s page at miami.edu/newstudenthealth.

• January 12: Deadline for commuter students to register for the virtual Great Start Program.

  Registration is now open!

  We understand that our commuter students have unique needs, that’s why the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement created a pre-orientation program just for you.

  Great Start is an exciting program for new students from Miami-Dade and Broward counties who will be commuting to campus. The program is designed to provide insight into commuter life and assist students in building their support network before arriving to campus.

  As the University of Miami continues to take proactive safety measures in response to COVID19—following the guidance of public health and government agencies—we are preparing for the January 2021 Great Start session to take place via Zoom. Throughout Great Start, there will be opportunities for you to interact with current and new commuter students through presentations about campus resources, virtual team-building activities, and student panels.

  This virtual Great Start experience is free, and the remote nature of the program allows you to enjoy it from wherever you may be.

  The deadline to register is Tuesday, January 12 at 5:00 p.m.

• January 18 - February 22: Complete Part 1 of the AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault Prevention, and Diversity courses.

  All incoming students are required to complete EverFi’s online AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault Prevention, and Diversity education courses. Failure to complete any portion of the courses will result in your inability to register for your subsequent academic courses.

  Course links will be sent to your UM email mid-January. If you do not receive the link, email campusclarity@miami.edu from your UM email address for access. Part 1 of all courses must be completed by February 22.

  For more information regarding the online course requirement, visit miami.edu/doso.

• Arrival: If entering the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa, familiarize yourself with U.S. entry procedures.

  Prepare for your arrival, including information about travel and entry into the United States. Visit isss.miami.edu for additional information.

  Entering the United States

  When traveling to the United States, carry your original Form I-20 or DS-2019 along with your passport, visa, and I-901 SEVIS fee receipt. Do not put these documents in your checked baggage.

  Present your documents to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. port of entry when you arrive. You may arrive no earlier than 30 days before, and no later than the start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

• Arrival: Move-in instructions.

  Incoming international and exchange undergraduate students living on campus will move in on Tuesday, January 19.

  Incoming domestic undergraduate students living on campus will move in during their assigned day and time on either Tuesday, January 19, or Wednesday, January 20. This information will be sent directly to the student’s UM email. It is recommended to wait on travel arrangements (i.e., flights) until assigned the exact move-in day and time. 

  More information available at miami.edu/housing.

• Arrival: Participate in ’Cane Kickoff.

  All new students must attend 'Cane Kickoff, the mandatory orientation for undergraduate first-year and transfer students. Check-in for the 'Cane Kickoff orientation program will begin on Wednesday, January 20, with your program continuing daily through Saturday, January 23.

  • International Student Orientation and the Compulsory Session for Exchange Students will be held on Wednesday, January 20.
  • If you will be commuting or living off-campus, you may check in for 'Cane Kickoff on either Wednesday, January 20, or Thursday, January 21.
  • Family 'Cane Kickoff (for families of new undergraduate first-year and transfer students) will be held Thursday, January 21.

  Please note that due to current COVID-19 University event guidelines, the format and delivery of both new student and family ’Cane Kickoff sessions have not been finalized. Further details will be provided through email communication as well as on the Student Affairs site in the weeks and months ahead.

• Arrival: International students, attend the mandatory International Student Orientation on Wednesday, January 20.

  International Student Orientation provides international students with information to assist in their transition to living and studying in the United States.